James N. Sears

Marisol

Complete score and sound design for the play by Jose Rivera

When
reading the script for Rivera's dark play set in pre-apocalypse New
York, co-producer Nathan Ruyle and I knew that a special kind of sound
would be necessary to bring the chaotic scene to life. Using Steinberg
DAW software and a slew of effects plugins and associated hardware we
wrote, played, and recorded the guitars, pianos, vocals, electronics,
and other instrumentation (including a guest cellist) that created the
sonic backdrop for the play, corresponding to its descent to chaos and
ultimate final message of hope.

Chua's oscillator was used throughout the
entire second act, played through a separate sound system hanging above
the audience in the rafters to create a surreal and chaotic soundscape
to accent the scripts shift in tone after intermission.

The production was presented by the Southern Illinois University at
Edwardsville's theatre department under the direction of William Grivna
in April 2001. Sound clips and reviews can be found below.

Listen (mp3 format):

Somber
- Intermission music, shifting the mood from the first act to the much
darker second actSecond
Sight - Exit musicAmbient
- Backed a scene in the first actChua demo - An example of the sound from
the chaotic oscillator played from the rafters as an ambient backdrop
throughout the second act

Read:

Review
from the Riverfront Times, St. Louis' arts and entertainment weeklyReview from KDHX,
a St. Louis radio stationReview
from Alestle, an SIUE student publication